“Oh how the mighty have fallen” announced my sister as I sat on my mattress on the floor in my daughter’s house surrounded by our possessions. Her judgment passed, she viewed our return from our boat and what she perceived as a major step backwards in our life’s fortunes. We are returning from our boat

OK I am rather happy I have put this blog up – firstly because it has been too long between posts, but mainly because I feel like I’ve graduated from beginner to someone who knows a thing or two about sailing. I wrote this blog as we travelled from Fiji to Vanuatu, however the internet is very slow so

I had plenty of time to think as we sailed from Samoa to Fiji, hence one night I put together what I think are some valid sailing truths. Truth: Most people want to live the great adventure that’s inside them, they will never do anything about it. Perhaps it’s lack of opportunity for most people, yet I suspect it is fear

Before You Leave We have met plenty of solo sailors or sailors with crew who haven’t convinced their significant other, that life on the sea is worthy. It doesn’t have to be this way but there are a few rules you need to consider before you buy and set sail. Your partner needs

Do sit ups and press ups everyday Have three days alcohol free each week Watch Breaking Bad – watching the first episode three times over thus far does not count Do my taxes and be on top of all bookwork Check my credit card statements each fortnight without fail Laugh at

Is sailing French Polynesia anything like the Tourist brochures that promise perfect weather? First thought is of course not, we know that tourist brochures are full of half truths and photo shopped images, I thought I’d add some tips that are missing from the brochures as well as some choice words from the brochure I have on board. Promises in

Whilst sailing this leg of the Pacific Ocean, I have read a novel about the life achievements of Captain James Cook. As a child I was taught about Cook (or ‘Kook’ as the islanders called him). My appreciation did not amount to much. I knew he was English, that he officially discovered Australia, New Zealand

In my former life every aspect of my day was constrained by time. Even down time, holidays and weekends off, was the conscious presence of time lingering in the background. Perhaps the definition of childhood, is lack of time awareness, as a child life just is and we live in the moment and experiences on offer. The

The Captain Himself In this post I want to talk about the other half of this adventure, my constant companion and only person I get to talk to, the Captain. Captain Of The Good Ship Miss Catana My Captain is English born. His parents immigrated to Australia from England, the Captain was just under one year

A week or so has passed since my last update and Miss Catana is sailing well. The washing machine action has stopped, as did the wind for a couple of days, it has since returned. Thank goodness, trying to sail across the world’s largest ocean with light winds, is like trying to drive a car with very little petrol

Speed And Date Slippage Yesterday was day 11 of our passage across the Pacific. When you get on a boat and know that you will be on that boat for a long stretch, days and nautical miles mean absolutely nothing. For some reason I thought it was day 7 that’s how it is. I just don’t

Our starting time to cross the Pacific Ocean was to be 7.00 am. We had a start time because we are in the unofficial “Get To The Beer Rally” Whilst in Panama we made alliance with two UK boats, Lion Heart of Clyde, Oddity and NZ boat Nora J. On the second last night

A short history before I start transiting the canal………. A Quick History Lesson On The Canal Building a canal that stretches 124 kms from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean is not a modern idea. It was first considered in 1500’s when the Spanish King, Charles The First commissioned a survey be carried out, but he decided it was an impossible task at